Sunday, April 1, 2018

March Decluttering

My goal was to declutter 100 items from the house in March.  I started out well, but couldn't keep it up!  I have not included the items I tossed at the office, other than my old day planners, because if I hadn't tossed them, I would have most probably brought them home and added them to the clutter that is here!

3/1:
- 1 broken plastic lid
- 3 pairs of holey socks
- 3 note books (all used up)

3 old notebooks

3/2:
- 25 birthday candles!  (will count as 1 item)

25 candles


3/3:
- 4 items of clothing (daughter's)
- 1 completed crossword book



3/3 decluttering


3/4:
- 26 buttons  (daughter ended up not using them on the cushion cover she made, after all)

Cushion cover - a Pokemon character named Snorlax


3/5:
- 1 pair of holey socks

3/6

3/7

3/8

3/9 - sutures!

3/10

3/11

3/12 - 1 cardboard box

3/13

3/14

3/15 - 1 day planner

3/16 - 1 day planner (I'm counting them because I didn't bring them home to add to the clutter at home!)

3/17

3/18

3/19

3/20 - 1 day planner

3/21- 2 batteries (put aside to recycle at the library; they have a special container for batteries)

3/22

3/23

3/24

3/25:
- 2 reusable food containers with covers

3/26

3/27:
- 1 old flashlight (damaged)
- 2 old batteries

3/28:
- 1 old kitchen towel

3/29:
- 6 magazines/brochures
- 2 CDs

3/30 - 1 old day planner

3/31 - 1 vase (broke when it fell)

The vase that got broken
Well, all told, I tossed a little more than one item per day in March.  It's better than nothing, isn't it?

12 comments:

  1. Good purging, especially the magazines. Those things I tend to hang on to forever, although I took the plunge and donated all my crafting magazines to the yard sale coming in May. I will even give them away. They are not coming back in.

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    1. I have the hardest time with magazines! I don't mind re-reading old magazines, so I tend to hang on to them! I think I still have a dozen or so stashed under the coffee table (it has shelves and 2 drawers; I love it!) But with so many ideas available online, these days, craft magazines can be donated and not missed too much.

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  2. I try to declutter one item per day every month. Usually it is more but that is my monthly aim. Fortunately 2 local charities have door pick-up so I don't even have to take them anywhere!

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    1. Anne, you are wise to go with one item per day. Much more manageable, I think.

      I need to call for a donations pick up, this month. I have several bags accumulated - just need to add them up, as they always want to know how many bags of what (clothes, household, books, etc.) to write out the receipt.

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  3. Bless, I'm so disappointed in your declutter effort. I guess my experience clearing my mom's small cottage preparing it for staging and sale is burnt into my soul. Brother and I couldn't believe how much stuff my mom had managed to squirrel away in just under 1,000 square feet + basement. The garage held enough tools and gardening equipment to look after several houses. There was too much of every category on a Konmari List http://jershaanddup.com/free-colorful-konmari-checklist-pdf/ . As you consider retiring, I need you to revisit the declutter 100 items project. Please stay healthy, stressing over trucks parked in your driveway is detrimental to your health. You need to accumulate joy to combat barriers. I'm so glad you joined family members later in the day for pure pleasure. I'm still concerned about the communication issues between your physicians and this specific pharmacy. I wish you'd/had DD email the Regional Manager, Pharma CVS to make him aware that there is a serious problem at that specific outlet. You know your doctor does not approve of your splitting pills to make them last longer, as it changes the value of the drug to your health. As a cancer survivor I am very aware of my status...you understand you need a higher level of awareness and I continue to fail to find the words that you would find worthwhile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hon, yes, the decluttering efforts fell by the wayside in March. But, I'll try not to die before I finish decluttering! :D However, if I do, I think my daughter will have the place cleared out in no time! She's not as sentimental as I am.

      Yes, I have already spoken to my physician about her prescriptions not getting through to the pharmacy. I think I will need to check with the pharmacy to confirm if they received the fax from the clinic on a more regular basis. Thank you for your concern, Hon. I appreciate it.

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  4. Unexpected black humor. There are so many other scenerios more typical like 'supported living' but do you really want to have a terribly upset DD having to cope with too much stuff? I know my mom would have moved heaven and earth had she visualized the problem she unwittingly left behind.

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    1. Hon, I do know what you are trying to say and I am listening! I am very decluttered in some areas, but have a lot of books and decorative items. The interesting thing is, if I were to move or downsize, I won't have any difficulty deciding to get rid of half my stuff! But, because I am not planning to move or downsize any time soon, I want to continue to hold onto things. It's like I don't have an incentive to declutter, other than sparing daughter the trouble (and some of the things stored in my closets are hers). But I will keep trying to lighten the load, a little at a time. Keep reminding me to keep at it, OK? :)

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  5. I had to laugh at the sutures!
    I have to declutter too my small home is packed to the gills, do you find that when people tell you you need to declutter you have a tendency to go out and get more stuff! I did just that this past month, I had my sister staying from Australia and she told me I had to declutter as she didnt what to deal with my rubbish when I die! I immediately went out and had a spending spree on clothes, but got sensible a few days later and filled up a bag of clothes for charity.

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    Replies
    1. Well done, Sharon, in getting a bag ready to give to charity. Some people have a "1 in, 2 out" strategy - for every new piece of clothing brought in, 2 pieces have to go to charity, etc. I don't buy so much as hold on to stuff I already have! I no longer buy books, but I have a hard time giving away the book I already have. I no longer buy decorative items, but find it hard to give away the decorative items I have. And so forth!

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  6. Bless, you may recall I really struggled with 'Empty Nest' syndrome a number of years ago when each of DSs chose careers in other cities. Gratefully they 'check in' regularly and continue to use both DH and I as a sounding board for the major changes they are considering.

    I wondered if I would also have difficulty sliding into the big transition of a comfortable and fulfilling retirement. I enjoyed doing the research.

    BTW, as you approach the end of your employment routine, you might check with your vehicle insurance agent as the rates likely change if it is no longer a conveyance to work. Helpful to know the KBB value of your car and whether the deductible is appropriate to the formula that determines your premium rate relative to deductible.

    As a part of estate planning [really all about income tax], if you have the same agent for house insurance, you might check Zwillow [online] for general evaluation of homes in your community, adjusted based on lot size and square footage.
    Important to verify how claim's agents evaluate your furnishings and equipment should there be a loss of some kind.

    [sorry so long]

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    1. Not too long, at all, Hon, and a lot of good points to ponder! I admit I hadn't even thought about that stuff about car insurance, etc. :)

      Well, daughter left home 4 years ago to attend grad. school, although, at the time, we thought it would be for 2 years, only. This blog is what she set up for me to combat any "empty nest" feelings I might have when she was gone; said she didn't want me to come home from work and be alone, wondering what to do with my time! :D Does this mean I'll blog more when I retire?

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